Baltimore MD vs Grand Rapids MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 197,768 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 27.4% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 60.0% | 17.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $33,953 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,052 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $309,801 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.9% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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